24 January – Amnesty Northern Ireland condemned as "utterly unjustified" and an "interference with freedom of speech and artistic expression" the cancellation of a comedy play by the Reduced Shakespeare Company called The Bible: The Complete Word Of God (Abridged) due to be performed in the Theatre at the Mill in Newtownabbey because of blasphemy alleged by the borough council led by the Democratic Unionist Party.[2]
4 May – Gerry Adams was released without charge after four days in police custody. It was decided to send a file to the Public Prosecution Service, which would decide if criminal charges should be brought.[5]
1 July – A Ku Klux Klan flag was taken down from a lamppost in Ballymacarrett in East Belfast. Its erection was condemned by politicians from a variety of political parties.[7]
23 December - David Cameron agreed to a subsidy of £2 billion to help preserve local welfare budgets. President Barack Obama congratulated ' ..all the leaders involved who, once again, have shown that when there is a will and the courage to overcome the issues that have divided the people of Northern Ireland, there is a way to succeed for the benefit of all. '[8]
